Owerri Shut Down by Pensioners Yesterday Over Unpaid Arrears, Many Slump and Die (See Photos)

Activities and vehicular movement were put on hold yesterday 15 th June , 2016 as pensioners and other government workers blocked a major roundabout connecting various parts of the eastern city of Owerri .
Some of the pensioners who were seen carrying placards and
mostly on black attires lamented the way in which the authorities
have abandoned them , even as they are being owed arrears of
up to 17 – 19 months .
The senior citizens were also singing very touching solidarity
songs , threatening not to leave the location until their cries are
attended to .
As at the time of filing this report when Trend NG visited the
location , there was little or no vehicular movement , as the old
men and women sat even under the rain on the ground of the
roads leading to the Imo government house , Okigwe road axis,
Wetheral and Assumpta Avenues .
When Trend NG approched a a visibly angry and worn out old
pensioner , he told us “… Rochas is owing us, many of us have not
been paid for almost 1 year and six months now , some are being
owed up to 1 year and eight months . We are not leaving here
today until some talks to us to reassure us… we will even
defecate around this whole place , and you know what that
means … infact we won ’ t leave ” .
Trend NG did not observe any visible signs of any government
representatives addressing the aged crowd.

Activities and vehicular movement were put on hold yesterday 15 th June , 2016 as pensioners and other government workers blocked a major roundabout connecting various parts of the eastern city of Owerri .
Some of the pensioners who were seen carrying placards and
mostly on black attires lamented the...